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Neemo Project Overview

The October 2001 mission in Aquarius includes three NASA astronauts and one astronaut training specialist. On the seven-day mission the project team will live underwater using Aquarius as an analogue for the space environment, that is, working and training under conditions that are surprisingly similar to those in space and having many similar challenges.

The mission rationale is based on the similarity of the Aquarius environment to that aboard the International Space Station. The Aquarius habitat is similar in size to modules of the station. Aquanauts coordinate operations remotely through the mission control centre in Key Largo. Experiments guided by mission control are conducted underwater using techniques similar to those used for spacewalks.

Aquanauts are isolated from the outside world for the duration of their mission because saturation diving techniques require lengthy decompression before surfacing. Isolation in an extreme environment is important for studies on behaviour and physiology. In particular, the NASA Aquarius experience will be used to help build crew–mission control communication techniques, and leadership and interpersonal skills.

Participants

Back, left to right: Bill Todd, Monica Schultz, Mike Gernhardt (Mike G),
Dave Williams, Mike Lopez-Alegria (LA), Mark Reagan
Front, left to right: Jean-Marc Comtois, Karl Shreeves (PADI Instructor)

Aquanaut Team:

• Dave Williams, CSA Astronaut
• Bill Todd, Space Flight Training
• Mike Gernhardt, NASA Astronaut
• Mike Lopez-Alegria, NASA Astronaut
• Mark Hulsbeck, National Undersea Research Center
• Ryan W. Snow, Marine Specialist, National Undersea Research Center

Topside Support Team:

• Dr. Jean-Marc Comtois, Director of Operational Space Medicine
  Canadian Space Agency
• Marc Reagan, Station Training Lead
  NASA Johnson Space Center
• Monika K. Schultz, Engineer
  United Space Alliance

Mission Physician:

• Rod Hagerman D.O.

Partners

• NURC (National Undersea Research Center)
• UNCW (The University of North Carolina at Wilmington)
• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
• NURP (National Undersea Research Program)